Academic Decathlon

Academic Decathlon, or AcaDec, is a program that provides high school students an opportunity to experience the challenges of rigorous academic competition through participation in team activities.

The ten events require knowledge in many academic disciplines. Students must take seven multiple choice tests in art, economics, language and literature, math, music, science and social science. These topics, with the exception of math, are thematically linked each year.

Past themes have included Exploring the Ancient World, the European Renaissance, China and Its Influence on the World, the History of the Civil War, the French Revolution, the Great Depression, Russia, World War I, India, and World War II. This year, the theme is AFRICA.

Local, region, and state contests are held each year. Based on a point system, the highest scoring team represents the state at the national United States Academic Decathlon competition. All members of the winning team receive scholarships.

AcaDec is designed to include students of three academic levels. Each nine-member team consists of three "A" students, three "B" students, and three "C" students.